The Syren.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1008, 24 December 1910, Page 14

The Syren.

By LB.

A Maori Fairy Story.

Carefully they carried the wasted, feeblo form of Rata to his favourite scat at, the .end of the rocks —a scat so low that ho was almost on tho level of the sea that splashed and gently crooned at his feet. Tb lie so that- he could.watch tho bluo sky above, the sapphire sea all round —sapphire save where it was brokei) by the jagged brown rocks that broke through in unexpected places, and tho light fantastic shadows that chased each other so fleetly over tho distant hills, was just now his only joy.

It seemed so long before lie felt returning strength steal through his being, but then,; what could be expected after such an illness? It took his uncle, tho famous tohunsa, all his time to save him. To-day he lay thero very very quietly, hardly moving. Last night had been rather a bad night, for tho demons of restlessness and feverishness and .pain, had tormented him again"before-.finally leaving him. With just tho smallest movement of his head ho turned and gazed deep into green, translucent depths, pathways of a dim mysterious underworld which every now, and,then were jealously hidden by .- a : waving, swaying forest of seaweed. Sheer gold or deepest brown they moved rhythmically to tne motion of tho incoming tide. Ebb and flow, swelling and subsiding like tho b'osom of a deep and quiet sleeper wrapped in a world of happy dream, tlio waters at his feet seemed to breathe all time away. Beyond thundered unceasingly sullen muffled monotone of tho crashing rollers, but hero was to be found peace and beiuty broken only by strango whispering voices, sighs, deep gurglings, and the light tinkle of a thousand tiny rills and cascades left by the rising and falling of the tide. As Rata watched these things a curious sensation came over him, a marvellous- sense of lightness and of strength. No longer was lie conscious of a painwrecked body tortured by- burning thirst. / /. -

"I think you would like to come with me now" he heard a ; voice " clear-: ascrystal say behind him. Turning round, which strange to'say ho could do with tho greatest easo, Rata beheld a most exquisito being sitting on the edge of tile rock, partly in and partly out of the water. To his eyes, accustomed to the dark beauty of tlio' v.'omen of his race, it seemed as though foam of the sea, blue of the skies, and'brown of the seaweed had all bee'n blended in the fashioning of such a creature, mermaid, sprite or seii-mai-den, which he did not know. As he gazed into tho blueness of tho eyes upraised to'.his it seemed to Rata that lie .was gazing into the eyes of eternity itself. ,' World-old,_ ' world-wise, ; yet strangely, everlastingly young they wero deep with , knowledge, . and' : with - unspeakable sadness. Rata felt no-surprise.. It seemed to him as though lio had always been prepared for sijch a visitation. are you ?" lie asked 6imply. "I have waited so. long for you, to speak. Day after day, week' after'; week,' year; after year, T have > seen - you in, fleeting; glimpses. . Sometimes on the-crest of. the waves as they roso in their fury and miglit.: You have laughed and held out .white' arms to ino to come and join you. -, In'deep, quiet pools, from between - cut-tains of seaweed, you have ; peeped anil fled, wrapping yourself in a mantle of white night-, when you sit- upon, tlfo and siilg 'to tho, stars of your .loneliness, your burden of secrets, youT .desolation, even .t-ho-riViives hush. ; tlieir clamour;: andsivpon It .your feet"for very love of you." , Wlieka, daughter- of the . sea-gods, gazed at him till his . heart seemed to, melt and he would liavoi faced even -the dread Parata, great monster of the deep at whose name all creation trembles, for her sake. In one second ho. was deside her and, as she leaned towards him so that great masses of her hair* sheer gold deeper brown; fell across his shoulders-' and softly 'hreath-' ed: "Come and see whom I am," He 'did not hesitate.' i Miru," his" wife, Hene, ■ his son, and all his tribe were unthoiight of. Together he arid Wheka plunged lightly, into the depths, only a few broken bubbles marking the spot where they disappeared from human view. As thoy cleft the blue at a rapid speed that left all swimming things, behind, Rata was : filled with', amazement and bewilderment. His wildest dreams were far surpassed. Colours, beside which'the most , glowing tints ever seen on. earth. paled into. wan shadows, were everywhere around liim. Forests _ of strange writhing growths re'ared' giant heads far. into the : heights. Mountains and valleys passed below them ill- their flight in a constant panoramic succession, while, ■ sometimes, he saw strange shining palaces; standing in tho midst 'of 'magnificent gardens with pathways of' glittering golden stands. Over all shone a pale golden light- very different from that of the world above. Sometimes they met beings of rare beauty who . made profound obeisance to his companion. '. : In front of a marble palace they descended, but before, crossing its threshold, Wheka drew from her arm an amulet scored with strange hieroglyphic signs, which sho bound upon the wrist of Rata, telling him that, so long as he wore it; all things were his slaves, tlie winds, the waves, and'all thejearsome monsters of the deep. Without it ho was the prey of all. . Under tlie spells of his enchantress Rata lived in one long dream of bliss. With her guidance he explored tho hidden fastnessels of the ocean, all - its beauties, its wonders and its horrors. There were times when ho would leaye Wheka and roam far, coming back with ashy lips, chattering teeth and tremblin'' limbs, appalled at the . things ho had seen. Often ho and Wheka would mount on a whale's back, and, ■through tho solitude of the frozen. Poles, laughing, singing with glee at their mad rush onward. Sometimes, when a deadly battle was. taking place, between the leviathans, Rata's warrior blood would break forth, and he would join battle with the losing side, glorying in his added strength and cunning. There was sorrowful work to be done as well—work that reminded Rata of his mortality. When tlie winds were loosed. from their bondage and the ocean arose in its mighty wrath, raging to devour whosoever defied its strength, he and Wheka would follow, and watch the sliips that were being pounded and shattered by its rage. Summoning their legions of helpers they tenderly, gather into their arms the helpless beings, bruised and terrified by the immensity of the strength against which they wore pitted, guard them from further buffeting, and steal away their terrors with sweet: oblivion. So were their last breaths yielded up. Only the. sea-folk can tell of the last calm rest--ing place deep among tlio flowerbeds of tho ocean. So many lie there. It was after one of those storms that overpowering longings for lus people seized upon Rata, and deepest self-re--preach for his neglect of their -welfare. Observant of the deep melancholy winch ho was unable to conceal, Wheka took him by tho hand ono day and darted with him through the ocean depths quicker than tlie speed with which a ray of light travels through space. IJpoa rising to tho surface ho described land, which lie recognised as that of his own home. 'In a short time you will bo joining your people, and I—l will be forgotten," said Wheka sadly. This, Rata, astonished, filled with contrition, denied. _ He had wanted to see bis homej but it was because there

were so many matters' which he had loft undone. Miru and his son Hene might have difficulties to face. That was all. "I cannot give you immortality. Rata, though immortal myself," said tho seamaiden. "Your lifo may bo prolonged to a thousand years at tho most. After that you cease to exist-. If you come back to mo" from your visit to those you liavo left—and I think you willearth and its ties will bo forever done with." ■ "I shall come back, W'heka! I shall come back!" cried Rata, as he looked doep into her eyes, unfathomable, everchanging in their colour. "Without- further words, Wheka reached forward, aud unfastened the amulet shchad fastened upon Rata's wrist, whispering a spell as 'slio did so. "I will come for you when it is time," sho cried, and, with thoso words ringing in his ears, he sank into deep unconsciousness.

. Chapter 11. On regaining consciousness, Rata gazed around, wondering what had happened to him, and where he was. In place of' ocean scenes, ho found himself in a whare with a woman's form bending tenderly over him—yone which, in a few moments, he recognised as that of Miru, his wife. She was weeping, weeping with joy at his return, . and overy now and again pressing his hand to her face. Hene, his small son, gazed timidly ■ at, him, and then, seeing bis father recognised him, threw himself on his breast, and hugged him close. '* Abasement flooded the heart of Rata. What was he made of? How could bo ever have-deft them so willingly, and so easily have forgotten their exists erice. ' ' • 1 Anxiously tbey watched as ho slowly rose to bis feet, and eagerly they sup- , ported him as he' somewhat unsteadily ■ made' his ■ way to the open doorway. It was one indeed come back ffom the Shades of death. The last time they had seen him ho was as ono for whom the spirits were calling. As they sat on the ground outside in the sunshine they told him : all that had happened since bis disappearance, and of how, only yesterday, there had come a terrible storm, when tho sea aroso in its might, and all living things upon . its bosom were Shattered. In the height of its wrath, Miru, as she crouched in her'hut, terrified ,at the wrath of the seii gods, heard a . long* wailing cry, as of one torn with anguish.. So wild, so full'of "bitter sorrow was it that, with-, ,'out stopping, to think of what might happen, she tore down to the seashore, convinced that there was there some soul in agony. There she had seen the form of a man lying on its face, motionless, and upon raising tho bead to seo if life by any chance were still thero, she had recoguiscd her husband. Thesp things, and many others, Miru told, and then questioned Rata as to the events , that had happened to him. What did he remember?

Strange! He could i remember . nothing. From tho time she had left him upon the rock, weeks ago, memory was blank. , The-sea gods must have cast a spell over him, and done with him what , they would, he told Mini. Miru questioned him no further, and, if. she thought many things, she kept them to herself, as a wise woman sometimes does. Daughter of a long line'of,famous priests, there were many strange things with which she was acquainted. '. It was;, strange 'hojv; quickly Rata picked up the threads of his old life. After the first excitement of his miraculous return had been discussed and marvelled oven in the meeting-houses at night, it seemed'as though such.strango events had never been. .Outwardly bo was th'e same Rata as of old, but only Mini knew that what they saw was only the husk of his old self. At once' Hone, his soli', young- though, ho-was, was sent to.the whare-kura, and Rata [jealously, saw-that: ho! waS'accordcd all the privileges due to his position as the eldest son of the chief. Only Mini could have told how ceaselessly Rati haunted the sea shore, how ho tossed, and moanW,, and ceaselessly babbled in his sleep of . things unknown to mortal eyes and ears. One night, she awoke, and became aware of Rata's absence. A time of conflict was at hand she felt convinced, arid,-she must gather her forces togdther.'tq fight for Ratn, who could not fight'' for himself. Quickly she .crept outside, - and, without hesitation, ; stole ;away to the beach-4o Rata's. favourite spot on the rocks. As she neared ' it, she saw him lying down, peering intensely into the water, and then she heard a voice, like the croon of a thousand tiny wavelets in its cadence, speaking to him. It told of tho splendours of the ocean, of the life that was awaiting him, and of the days that had already been. In spite of hersolf, its beauty, its. soft, caressing music, with the undertone of an everlasting sorrow in its notes, crept over her, and held her chained.

Motionless, torn in two with wounded love, jealousy, and . fear, she lay and heard the story of the wonders that had been, and of the glories that would begin for Rata with the rising of tho moon to-morrow. At last, with almost a superhuman effort, she pulled herself together, and crawled from the spot. Dazed with the necessity for instant action, if sho wished, to save Rata from the, spell of the sea. maiden, and from ultimate destruction, hardly knowing where- to turn for help, she suddenly thought of the most celebrated of all tohungas. She would need strong magic to nelp her in this matter. Fortunately he lived near at hand. It did not take long to rouse Kewa, and. hastily she poured forth her tale. When she had finished the priest stood scrutinising her fixedly in the brilliant moonlight. "Do you know, my daughter, the risks you will run?" ho asked. "You alone can help me, and it will be at tlio risk of your own life, and moro than your life. It is defying tho whole forces of tho sea folk. Are you counting the cost?" "If it cost me. all my life here, and sent me hereafter among :t-ho shades of the accursed ones, I would still fight for the soul of Rata," said Miru. passionately. "That is well said!" the priest, remarked with satisfaction..- "And now to work. The remainder of tho night I will spend in tho forest." ■ From this Miru knew that the most powerful incantations ever known 'to .tohungas would be invoked against .the power of tho sea-maiden. "For you thoro is a hard task, enough to frighten the bravest woman,"., ho continued. "Two hours after midnight' you must go into tho Valley of tho Taipos, and, paying no heed to - anything, make your way to the Great Taniwlia Pool. Beside this pool is growing a three-forked cabbage tree; and, from the centre fork, you must pluck tho heart, and bring it to my dwelling. I shall need it for my work. Above all things, pay no heed to the Voices which you, may hear, and, wait, ' before you pull 'it,, until you seo -the first faint streak' of .light upon , tho head of the Great White, Mountain." With aiew further instructions Kewa departed into the forest, where ho would remain till the sun arose the next morning. Before starting off upon her task Mini recited all tho spells sho knew, and then, with fresh courago filling her breast, started off on her journey to the Valley of tho Taipos. As sho ncared it tho aspect of the country changed. Old familiar things gave way to dwarfed, twisted monstrosities. Trees in the shapes of contorted demons, peered and glared at her in the dim light, .and seemed to try to stop her progress. Whispering voices, and hollow mocking laughter followed her, jeering at her orrarid, but still Miru walked steadfastly on with deaf cars, bending her energies upon her task. At last she came to the Pool, and saw the three-pronged cabbage tree, with tho central fori

reaching far over the water. An activo climber, Miru was soon up among its branches, and had succeedcd in cutting out tho heart of the fork to which she had been directed, when, suddenly, a cold breath passed over her face, and a voice hissed in her ears: "Thou art accursed for ever, unhappy onel"

Startled, Miru lost her balance, and, together with her precious burden, fell into the'water below. A good swimmer, sho was turning to strike for land, when sho became paralysed with, horror on seeing the water in tho centre of tho pool rise and break in a hugo cascade, from the centro of wliich appeared a monster,. with eyes like great grpen fires, come towards her. . It seemed as though sho must be devoured,, and .all would bo lost.. But, roused by the need for action, sho thought of the most powerful spells sho knew," and repeated them fast ■ and fervently, making'the mystic signs as she did so. -To her joy they , were effective. The light died out of the hideous thing's eyes, and, gradually, he sank into the depths of the pool. The .waters subsided from tho agitation, and Miru, half fainting, utterly unnervedj reached the shore just .as the first faint streak of .daybreak shono athwart th.e dark mass of - the great mountain top.

How she made her way through the horrors of the Valley she did not know. Kewa, coming back from the vigil, in the busli, found her lying outside bis whare door, with the precious cabbage tree heart in licr hand. After she. had recovered, the tohunga told .her that she was to remain all that day in her whare, aiid, on no account, to stip outside tho door. Otherwise the vengeance of Wheka. would wreak itself upon her for her part- in robbing .her of Rata, and no human aid would then come to help her. He himself would be' deep in magic dealings until sunset. On returning to the whare, Miru iearnt that Rata had gone away fishing, but would be back at. sundown, and Heno was away at the Whare-kura. It seemed to her as though she would go mad with suspense, horror, and hatred, and, to ward off such a possibility,, she performed all the magic rites she knew against Wheka. Time dragged slowly on, and nothing seemed to happen until, near sundown, the air suddenly becamo darkened. Strange, fearsome shapes, showed themselves among tlie trees, and deep subterranean rumblings were heard at times. At last a strange calm seemed to- fall over everything— a calm of breathless suspense, ominous of dread events. It: ;was broken by ; a deafening, crash of thunder. Sheets iof flame broke through tho darkness, horrid screecbings, the cries of millions, of flying creatures, and a violent shaking of the.earth added to tho general terror. Breaking through it all she heard Heno, her. son, crying out iu. agony to her to help liim. Forgetful of everything, Miru dashed from the whare, and, only when she had gone some distance, and lieard a loud, triumphant laugfi, did she realise that she had fallen into a trap. . "You kre minel You are mine!" was shouted in her ears with fiendish glee, and, overcome with horror, she fell senseless to the ground. When sho recovered, it was bright moonlight, and Rata, pale and shaking, was kneeling beside her, with. Kewa a little' distance away. . / "Are you' quite safe, Rata?" sbo weakly whispered. "Quito safe, and no longer mad," was his answer. "Had yoU.left the whare a ■moment. sooner you would, have been Wheka'.s slave- for ever, ; but '. Kewa's spells had done their work. 'She was defeated,, and,-now for a. thousand years to come, sho is chained to tho Pole. Only tho bears and the seals can be her victims now."